European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Vote Means
If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names across European Union markets.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it must gain approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require clear information and while meat terms must exclusively refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another effort to control such names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure now faces consideration by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
